Leadership by Design

Product Description

Drawing upon his unique experience as the only licensed architect to have served in Congress during the 20th century, and through original and careful historical research, PPS board member and former U. S. Ambassador to Denmark Richard N. Swett recounts fascinating stories of civic and political leadership by America’s designers of the built environment from the 1850’s up to the present day.

The great transformative events of American history are all seen through the largely unheralded contributions of the architects, landscape architects and civil engineers who played key leadership roles, from the nation’s first world’s fair to heroic life-saving during the Civil War and World War II.

This compelling volume is both inspiring and instructive, breaking new ground in re-evaluating the lesser known and underappreciated civic leadership strengths of the architecture profession. Swett defines his own deeply held philosophical cornerstones and through them delivers practical advice that readers can utilize to enhance their own leadership skills and potential. And though this book reads like a fast paced novel, it is packed with useful, actionable information.

Leadership by Design: Creating an Architecture of Trust also serves as an eloquent plea to architects, leaders and citizens alike to expand the range of their professional, personal and social leadership skills as the best means to design good solutions for the complex challenges facing our nation and the world. Five critical contemporary issues that need the design professions’ leadership to rally around are identified and discussed.

U. S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, who has endorsed the book’s knowledgeable and fresh approach to its subject, states, “Architecture is a vocation commonly held to be detached from the rough and tumble of political engagement. Richard Swett has successfully combined the two professions in his own life and inLeadership by Design: Creating An Architecture of Trust, argues for others to follow his example. The result is a remarkable story of how architects have contributed to the civic and political life of this nation, and offers evocative ideas of how to expand their role in our public discourse. Every public official needs to read this book.”